Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Brain Age, and Neurodegeneration Among Older Adults
2024

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Brain Health in Older Adults

Sample size: 134 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Derboghossian Grace, Pituch Keenan, Anthony Mia, Salisbury Dereck, Lin Feng Vankee, Yu Fang

Primary Institution: Arizona State University

Hypothesis

What are the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, brain age, and neurodegeneration in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment?

Conclusion

The study found that cardiorespiratory fitness was not associated with brain age and neurodegeneration, but brain age negatively correlated with hippocampal volume and cortical thickness.

Supporting Evidence

  • Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using VO2peak from a peak cycle-ergometer test.
  • Brain age and neurodegeneration were assessed using structural magnetic resonance imaging.
  • The sample had an average age of 73.63 years and an average education of 16.98 years.

Takeaway

This study looked at how being fit affects the brain in older people with memory problems, and it found that fitness didn't help with brain age or damage.

Methodology

The study used multiple linear regressions to analyze associations using baseline data from a trial.

Limitations

The study only examined baseline data and did not explore other potential brain indicators related to cardiorespiratory fitness.

Participant Demographics

Participants averaged 73.63 years of age, with 51.5% male and 92.5% White.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.02

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.2304

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